Media centre

Friday 10 Jan 2003

PROSECUTIONS AGAINST TRESPASSERS SECURED

Region & Route:

| Southern

Seven people caught trespassing near Angel Road station on the West Anglia route were recently convicted of gaining unlawful access to the railway.  The prosecutions, at Enfield magistrates court, were secured against the group of under 25s who were given fines ranging from £75 to £170. Inspector Brook, British Transport Police said: “I am very pleased that the courts have recognised the severity of trespassing. Trespassing is a serious crime as it often leads to more sinister vandalism activity which poses a threat to passengers and staff.”  Network Rail and its industry partners actively seek convictions for all route crime offences.  The maximum penalty for endangering life is life imprisonment. Zero tolerance and enforcement is the main focus of the rail industry’s route crime strategy.  A more aggressive stance than ever is being taken to target criminals who attack the network, causing injury and delay to passengers and staff, damaging equipment, as well as endangering themselves.